MU S IC O F T HE

CLAS SIC AL P E R I OD
Identify the term being described. Write the words of your answer.
1. A musical work with different movements for an instrumental soloist and
orchestra
a. SYMPHONY c. CONCERTO b. SONATA d. RONDO
2. A section of the sonata allegro form where the themes are introduced
b. EXPOSITION c. RECAPITULATION b. DEVELOPMENT d. THEME AND
VARIATION
3. The general texture of Classical music
c. MONOPHONIC c. HETEROPHONIC b. HOMOPHONIC d. POLYPHONIC
4. The term for serious opera
a. OPERA c. OPERA BUFFA b. COMIC OPERA d. OPERA SERIA
5. The most important form that was developed during the classical era and
usually the form of the first movement of a sonata or symphony
a. MINUET c. RONDO b. SONATA ALLEGRO d. SYMPHONY _____
6. It repeats the themes as they first emerged in the opening exposition
a. EXPOSITION c. RECAPITULATION b. DEVELOPMENT d. SONATA

7. A musical composition designed to be played by the full orchestra

a. SYMPHONY c. CONCERTO b. SONATA d. CANTATA

8. The term for Italian opera

b. OPERA c. OPERA BUFFA b. COMIC OPERA d. OPERA SERIA

9. It is a multi-movement work for solo instrument

c. SYMPHONY c. CONCERTO b. SONATA d. CANTATA

10. It is called “The Age of Reason”

a. MEDIEVAL c. BAROQUE b. RENAISSANCE d. CLASSICAL
MUSIC OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD
(1750-1820)
 It is also called as “Age of Reason”
 In the middle of the 18th century, Europe
began to move toward a new style in
architecture, literature, and the arts, known
as Classicism.
Important historical events that occurred ;

French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, the American

Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the American
Revolution

The term “classical” denotes conformity with the principles

and characteristics of ancient Greece and Roman literature
and art which were formal, elegant, simple, freed and
dignified.
 The dynamics of loud and soft were clearly
shown through the extensive use of crescendo
and diminuendo.
 A style of broken chord accompaniment called,
Alberti Bass was practiced
 Sonata, Concerto, and Symphony are the
instrumental forms developed during this era
while Opera Seria and Opera Buffa are the two
vocal forms.
 GREAT COMPOSERS

Franz Joseph Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Ludwig Van

Mozart Beethoven
 one of the most prominent composers
of the classical period.
His life is described as a “rags-to-
riches” story.
His music reflects his character and
personality: mainly calm, balanced,
serious but with touches of humor.
He was able to compose over 100
symphonies and developed them into
long forms for a large orchestra.
“Father of the Symphony”
 Most of his symphonies have nicknames such as
the “Surprise Symphony”, “The Clock”, “The
Military”.

Franz Joseph Haydn

 a child prodigy and the most amazing genius
in musical history
 At age five, he was already playing the violin
and the harpsichord;
 at six, he was recognized as an exceptional
pianist and,
 at seven, he was already composing excellent
music.
 He experimented in all kinds of music and
composed over 700 works.
 He composed wonderful concertos,
symphonies and opera such as “The Marriage
of Figaro” (1786), “Don Giovanni (1789), and
“The Magic Flute” which became popular.
Other known works: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,
Symphony No. 40 in G Major, and Sonata No.
11 in A Major K311.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

 He was the composer who bridged
the late Classical era and the early
Romantic era.
 His famous compositions include 32
piano sonatas, 21 set of variations, 9
symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 16
string quartets and choral music.
 His works include the “Missa Solemnis”
(1818-1823) and opera “Fidelio” (1805).
His known symphonies are: Symphony
No. 3 (Eroica), No. 5, No. 6 (Pastoral),
No. 9 (Choral), which adds voices to the
orchestra.
 He began to go deaf in 1796 but this did
not become a hindrance.

Ludwig Van Beethoven

 VOCAL AND
INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC
SONATA
A multi-movement work for solo instrument, Sonata
came from the word “Sonare” which means to make a
sound.

SONATA ALLEGRO FORM

The most important form that developed during the
classical era consists of 3 distinct sections: Exposition,
Development and Recapitulation
1.Exposition - the first part of a composition
in sonata form that introduces the theme
2. Development- is the middle part of the
sonata-allegro form wherein themes are being
developed
3. Recapitulation - repeats the theme as they
first emerge in the opening exposition
CONCERTO
It is a classical form of music intended primarily
to emphasize the individuality of the solo
instrument and to exhibit the virtuosity and
interpretative abilities of the performer.
3 movements:

1 st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form with expositions

of the orchestra and then by the soloist.

2 nd Movement: Slow: Has more ornamentation than the

First movement.

3 rd Movement: Fast: Finale: usually in a form of rondo,

resembling the last movement of the symphony and
usually a short cadenza is used.
SYMPHONY
A multi-movement work for orchestra, the
symphony is derived from the word
“Sinfonia” which literally means “a
harmonious sounding together”.
4 movements of the symphony:

1 st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form

2 nd Movement: Slow : gentle, lyrical – typical ABA
form or theme and variation
3 rd Movement: Medium/Fast: uses a dance form
(Minuet or scherzo)
4 th Movement: Fast: typically Rondo or Sonata form
CLASSICAL OPERA
Opera is a drama set to music where singers and
musicians perform in a theatrical setting.

Distinct styles of opera

1. Opera seria- (serious opera) usually implies heroic
or tragic drama that employs mythological characters,
which was inherited from the Baroque period.
“Idomeneo” by Mozart is an example of Opera Seria.
2. Opera Buffa (comic opera)- from Italy made use
of everyday characters and situations.

“The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni”, and “The

Magic Flute” are examples of popular Opera Buffa by
Mozart.
TERMS

Alberti Bass - a special type of broken chord accompaniment

where the chord is played in this order: lowest note - highest note
- middle note - highest note then repeats the pattern to create a
smooth, sustained, flowing sound.
Allegro - quickly, in a brisk lively manner
Andante - in a moderately slow tempo
Cadenza - an improvised passage or ornamentation
performed by a soloist or group of soloists that allows a
display of virtuosity often placed near the end of a piece.
Cantata - a choral composition with instrumental
accompaniment, typically in several movements.
Classical era - the period from 1750-1820 called the Age of
Reason.
Concerto - a major instrumental work for solo instrument
with orchestral accompaniment
Crescendo - gradually becoming louder Diminuendo -
gradually becoming softer
Development - middle part of the sonata-allegro form
wherein themes are being developed
Exposition - the first part of a composition that introduces
the themes that will be developed through the piece
Homophonic - a melody accompanied by chords
 “Commercial Break”
Procedure:
1. You will be divided into 4 groups.
2. Each group will be assigned to advertise a
product of your own choice wherein classical
music will be used as background music.
3. You will perform in front of the class.
 “Sing it to the Classic!”

Procedure:
1. You will be divided into 3 groups.
2. Each group will create a short poem with a theme on the
Classical Era (opt.) or any theme of their choice.
3. Your group will recite or rap the poem and use music of the
Classical Period as your accompaniment. (Example: melody
of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, “Ode to Joy”)
4. You will perform in front of the class.
Criteria for grading:

Choice of music (must be a Classical Period piece and

appropriate for the product) --------- 30%
Originality (use of own concept) --------- 40%
Creativity (use of props, costumes) --------- 30%
T O T A L 100%
CONCERTO
EXPOSITION
HOMOPHONIC
OPERA SERIA
SONATA ALLEGRO
RECAPITULATION
SYMPHONY
OPERA BUFFA
SONATA
CLASSICAL